Latch strike



l :E N l M F. M. HOGG LATCH STRIKE Dec. 9, 1941.

Filed Jan. 26,'1940 Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LATCH STRIKE Francis M. Hogg, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application January 26, 1940, Serial No. 315,792

7 Claims.

My invention relates to latches and more particularly to strikes for latches.

It is an object of my invention to provide new and improved means for accurately positioning the parts of a. latch strike in predetermined positions during assembly thereof with a minimum effort on the part of the workman and for maintaining the aforementioned parts in a predetermined position.

Further objects' and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my invention applied to a door latch in a refrigerator; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;r Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 1 taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the assembly of some of the parts illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

I have illustrated my invention in connection with a door strike adapted for use with refrigerators. Thus, in the drawing I have shown a strike I0 threadingly engaging a block or base member II. The strike I0 is secured in position by means of a fastening member such as a threaded nut I2, a lock washer I3 being interposed between the base member II and the nut I2. As best seen in Fig. 4, the block II is provided on a face thereof with a plurality of grooves or recesses I4 for reception of projections I5 located on one side of the washer I3. The strike I0 is provided with a depression such as a longi tudinally extending groove I6 and the washer I3 is provided with a tongue or projection I'I for engagement with the slot or groove I6. In assembling the strike illustrated in the drawing the nut I2 is threaded onto the threaded portion I8 of the strike IU. Lock washerl I3 is then passed over the portion I8 of the strike IU with the tongue II extending into the groove I6. This assembly of parts is then threaded into the member II until the projections I5 engage or are adjacentto the sides of the grooves I4. The nut I2 is then rotated in a direction to urge projections I5 into the grooves I4 and to secure the assembly. Thus, the lock washer I3 interlocks the strike I0 and member II so that relative rotation therebetween is impossible and by propi desired shape and is preferably of non-heaterly placing the grooves I4 and projections I5 as A well as the groove I6 and tongue I'I the various parts may be assembled in the proper predetermined positions very readily.

Describing my invention in greater detail, I have illustrated an inner metallic casing or liner I9 and an outer metallic casing or liner 2i) of a refrigerator of the domestic type, the complete cabinet not being shown. The space between the liners I9 and 20 is closed by a breaker strip 2I, preferably of non-metallic, non-hygroscopic materiall for example, resinous products, such as those known under the trade name Bakelitef Textolite, etc., in order to reduce the conduction of heat into the interior of the cabinet. The breaker strip 2I is suitably retained in positionv as by means of a bezel 22 suitably attached to the inner liner I9 and a combined bezel and gasket 23 suitably secured to the outer liner 20. An opening 24 is provided in the breaker strip 2| for the reception of the strike I0 and lock washer I3.

In order to support the base member II in proper position behind the opening 24, I have provided a laterallyextending ange 25 on the outer liner 20 to which1 is suitably secured a back plate 26-as by welding. for example. The back. plate 26 has a portion 21 extending substantially perpendicular to the door strike I0. The portion 2l of the back plate 26 is provided with a pair of threaded bosses 28.

'Ihe base member or block II is formed of any conductive material such as that described above in connection with the breaker strip 2| in order to minimize the conduction of heat between the door strike I0 and the interior of the cabinet The block I I is provided with a threaded bore 29 to receive the threaded portion I8 of the strike I0. In order to support the member II on the back plate 26, I have provided a pair of elongated openings 30 corresponding to the bosses 28 of the back plate 26 and suitable fastening means, as threaded bolts 3I, extending through the openings 30 into engagement with the threaded bosses. If desired, lock washers 32 may be provided between the member II and the heads 33 of the bolts 3I.

The strike IIJ comprises two portions, a threaded portion I8 and a bolt engaging lportion 34 arranged to engage a bolt 35, the bolt being shown in outline form in Fig. 2. The portion I8 of the strike I0 is arranged for threaded engagement with bore 29 of member II. Whenever relatively iine threads are employed, it may be desirable to counterbore the bore 29, as indicated at 36, to a diameter slightly greater than the Thus, there is provided a plurality of substan tiaily centrally arranged projections with respect to the portion 31 which correspond to the grooves shape, I provide means for shifting the strike in a vertical direction.- Vertical adjustment is facilitated by extending the heads 33 of the bolts 3| through suitable openings in the breaker strip 5 2i. With this Aarrangement in order to adjust the strike vertically, the bolts 3I may be loosened, the strike I0 moved to the proper vertical position and the bolts 3| again tightened.

It will be apparent that use of 'my invention permits the compensation of inaccuracies of man- I4 closely in cross section and le'ngth as well as position whereby the projections extend into the grooves I4 and t sufficiently closely to minimize play between the base member I I and the washer I3. In order to position accurately the above-describedl parts in the assembly thereof with a minimum o1' effort I have illustrated the use 'of three substantially V-shaped radially-extending grooves I4 of substantial length in the face oi' member II next to the lock washer I3.`

Two of the grooves are disposed horizontally and are diametrically opposed for accuratelyy positioning the member I0 inthe vertical direction. Whenever it is sufficient to insure accuracy in but one direction only, two diametrically-opposed grooves are sumcient but in applications, such as the door strike illustrated and described herein, where it is essential that the bolt engaging portion 34 be accurately located not only vertically but with the bolt engaging portion disposed in the proper direction (upwardly in this case) I provide a third groove I4, although if preferred, two grooves, I4, will serve. grooves preferably are not diametrically arranged. Thus, by providing three grooves or two the groove I6 will be opposite the head or bolt engaging portion 34.

The method of assembly of the aforementioned parts has been referred to previously. It might be added that in the illustrated embodiment of my invention the strike I0 .carrying the nut I2` and lock washer I3 will be threaded into the bore 29 until the projections I5 correspond with the grooves I4 with the portion 34 of the strike I0 extending the `proper distance from the breaker strip 2l in order to engage the bolt 35 and maintain Vthe closure member (not shown) with the In such a case the disposed centrally of said washer, said portion ufacture. For example, in the manufacture` of refrigerators by mass production methods, it is extremely diilcult to maintain an exact relationship of position between door and cabinet, but such variations as occur may be readily compensated for with the apparatus above described.

Modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, while I have illustrated grooves I6 and I4 in strike I0 and member II, respectively, for.

the reception of projections I1 and I5, respectively, the' member I I may be provided with projections, if desired, extending into suitable recesses or openings in the washer I3.

While I have shown a particular embodimentof my invention in connection with a refrigerator, I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention. v

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a latch mechanism, the combination of a base member having a threaded bore, a latch strike having a threadedportion arranged to be threaded into said, bore, a threaded securing member associated with said portion, a washer interposed between said members, said base member having a radially extending groove of substantial length, said washer having a projection disposed substantially centrally of said washer, said projection corresponding closely to the cross-sectional shape and length of said groove and extending into said groove, said washer also bolt engaging portion and a threaded portion' having a longitudinally extending groove, a base member having a threaded bore for receiving said threaded portion, a lock washer engaging said strike and said base member, the face of said member next to said Washer having a radially extending groove of substantial length, said washer having a corresponding projecting portion corresponding closely to the cross sectional shape aridlength of said radial groovevand extending into saidradial groove and also a tongue extendproper pressure against the gasket 23. The nut" 61", ing into said rst-mentioned groove, a threaded I2 is then tightened.v Thus, I have provided an arrangement in which the strike I 0 may be readily adjusted toward and from the object to which it is secured and the parts accurately positioned so that the workman engaged in assembling the strike is not required. to take time By providing elongated openings or holes 30 in the member II and by making the opening 24 in the breaker strip 2l, approximately oval in `75 having a longitudinally extending groove, a base fastening member for urging said washer into' engagement with said base member, said tongue cooperating with said first-mentionedgroove and said projecting portion cooperating with said radial groove for maintaining said strike in a predetermined position with respect to said base member.

3. In a latch mechanism, a strikecomprising a bolt engaging portion and a threaded portion having a second projecting portion, said strike for urging said washer into engagement with said A base member, said tongue and first-mentioned groove and also said projecting portions and said radially-extending grooves being disposed to maintain said strike in a predetermined position.

4. In a latch mechanism a strike comprising a bolt engaging portion and a threaded portion having a longitudinally extending groove, a base member having a threaded bore for receiving said threaded portion, a lock washer' engaging said strike 'and said base member, the face of said member next tosaid washer having three grooves extending radially from said bore, said radial grooves being of substantial length, said Washer having projecting portions disposed centrally of said washer, said projecting portions corre spending closely to the cross sectional shape and length oi' said radial grooves and extending thereinto and also a tongue extending into the first-mentioned groove, a threaded fastening member for urging said washer into engagement with said basemember, said tongue and rstmentioned groove and also said projecting portions and said radially-extending grooves'being disposed to maintain said strike in a predetermined position.

5. In a latch mechanism, a strike comprising a bolt engaging portion and a threaded portion havin'g a longitudinally extending groove, a base member having a threaded bore for receiving,

6. In a.y latching mechanism for a heat-insulated cabinet of the type having inner and outer casings maintained in spaced relationship vand a breaker strip closing the space between the casings, the combination of a base member disposed between the casings, said base member being provided With a threaded bore, said strip having an opening aligned with said bore, a strike extending through said opening and including a threaded portion for engagement with said bore and also having a longitudinally extending groove, a lock washer having a centrally disposed depressed portion extending through said opening, said depressed'portion having an aperture centrally disposed for receiving said strike, the remaining portion of said washer being arranged and constructed for concealing the edges of said opening, the outer face of said base member having a recess, the inner face of said depressed portion having a projection corresponding to said recess and extendingk into said recess for preventing relative movement between said base member andsaid washer, a threaded fas- 'tening member for urging said washer-into engagement with said base member, said fastening member being disposed in said depressed portion, said washer also being provided with a tongue projecting into said longitudinally extending groove for preventing vrelative motion between said washer and said strike.

4 7. ln a latching mechanism for a heat-insu lated'cabinet of the type having inner and outer casings maintained in spaced relationship and a breaker strip closing the space between the cas-l ings. the combination of a base member disposed between the casings, said base member being provided with a threaded bore, said strip havingv an opening/aligned with said bore, a latch strike extending through said opening and including a threaded portion for engagementwith said bore o and also having a longitudinally extending groove, a washer having a centrally disposed depressed portion extending through said opening, said depressed portion having an' vaperture cent trally disposed for receiving said strike, the outer portion of said washer being arranged and` constructed for concealing the edges of said opening, and a threaded fastening member for urging said washer into engagement with said base member, said fastening member being disposed i'n said depressed portion.

FRANCIS M. HOGG. 

